Occasional Insights: September 2008

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Young Ambassadors

In life, windows open up to play specific roles, and close just as quickly; ring bearer is one of those examples.

The boys were invited to be part of the wedding party for one of Molly's cousins, Tara, and one of mine, Anita. DC in August, Chicago in September.

And so for an ephemeral moment - - a mere slice of a weekend - - Paul and Sidd were awash in the limelight, showered with the sort of attention created by the intersection of toddler cuteness, and a tuxedo’s dapper regality.

To heighten matters, in just a few hours the church was transformed into a vehicle that brought excessive attention upon a these naive souls. At the rehearsal, everyone was in shorts, the place was empty, there's lots of smiles; it was a small band of exhausted people just arriving from long journeys, spurred into the relaxed conversation that comes with the reunion of friends and family. At the wedding, it was pew after pew of spectacular saris, banks of flashing cameras, even toddlers now in tuxes.

Given the August wedding was their first in this role, the metamorphosis of the church was a bit shocking. By the second event in September, they took this in stride. This ring bearer thing - easy. In fact, who's next?

There's too many people in this church...
- -Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Relaxing after a great show (Sidd, Ava, Paul, Annie)...
- -Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Trying to act like mature 7 year olds, before the Chicago ceremony ...
- -Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Another Remarkable Reunion

BIG family get-togethers are generally due to events that are very auspicious, or very sad. Here was yet another blessed example of a wonderful occasion - Anita's wedding, attended by a whopping 600 people! And contrary to my own fears, the entire event was just fabulous - - no outbursts from people who had underestimated their ability to juggle drinks and emotions. Below are three of 1,200 shots

Mylangee - Elsama Auntie and Johnny Uncle offer their best wishes...
- -Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

The moment arrives...
- -Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Me and my dad take a walk...
- -Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Friday, September 12, 2008

Mystical Land

How often do we live in one locale and actually neglect exploring its environs, only to move far, far away and years later, pay the price of time and money to journey to the SAME ORIGINAL place as an outsider, to finally make that day trip? What an odd behavior, no?

Here is a set of images of "Rattlesnake Ledge," stitched together, that is a mere 20 minutes drive, 2 miles walk, and 1,100 feet in elevation from our house. Just magical. Probably even more dreamy in the rain, mist and fog.

Taking in the vista...
- -Abe Pachikara, Copyright 2008 (click for larger image)

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Back to the Woods

It is nice how friends and family who nudge one to try things otherwise avoided. As a result, we have gone camping as a family 3 times, largely due to people who have convincing answers to the nicely stated objections. For example:

"We don't have a tent." That's okay, Reuben has an extra one.
"We don't know what is a good camp site." I know some great ones. And I have
booked you with the rest of us already.
"We are not big into hiking, etc.” But you love a good cup of tea. We will make some probably every 2 hours or whenever anyone gets a bit bored.

Add to this that the forecasters were wrong and we had good solid weather, even if the nights may have been more chilly than hoped for. All in all, a superb way to end another summer.